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The Best Laptops for 2025

The best laptop for you depends on what you do every day. Whether you want a simple budget PC, a productivity workhorse, or a screamer of a gaming notebook, our deep-dive guide has all the advice you need, plus our top product picks in every major laptop category.

By Brian Westover
& Joe Osborne
Updated August 2, 2025
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Here at PCMag, we've tested thousands of laptops since our lab's founding more than 40 years ago. Our analysts and editors have more than a collective century of experience telling the good laptops from the great ones. We test more than 100 models every year to determine the best laptop overall. We also rank winners in various subcategories, such as gaming laptops, work laptops, budget laptops, Chromebooks, and MacBooks. We test all models for CPU and graphics performance using rigorous, repeatable benchmark tests, and we evaluate design, usability, connectivity, and—most important!—value. Our current best laptop for most people is the Dell 14 Plus (DB14250), a top-value midranger that lasts for 20 hours on a charge, but we have plenty more tested, vetted recommendations. Read on to see all our picks, compare their specs, and get down-to-earth buying advice for nailing down the best laptop for you.

Our Top Tested Picks

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)
Best Laptop for Most People

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

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$749.99 at Dell
$1,099.99 Save $350.00
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FEATURED DEAL
Dell Precision 5690 angle 1
Best Workstation Laptop

Dell Precision 5690

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$2,979.00 at Dell
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Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4)
Best MacBook for Most People

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4)

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$799.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $200.00
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Best Budget Laptop
Best Budget Laptop

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

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$315.00 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $34.00
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Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition angle view
Best Ultraportable Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition

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$2,299.00 at Amazon
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Asus ProArt PX13 left angle
Best Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop

Asus ProArt PX13

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$1,749.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $250.00
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Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)
Best Budget Gaming Laptop

Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)

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$740.00 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $59.99
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

EDITORS' NOTE

August 1, 2025: With this update, we added the Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) as our latest Best Laptop for Most People, replacing the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406). Since our last update, we tested and evaluated six new laptops for inclusion in this roundup and our other laptop roundups. We are currently testing more than a dozen new laptops for our next update from Asus, Dell, HP, Microsoft, and others.

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

Best Laptop for Most People

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

4.0 Excellent
  • Excellent battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
  • Good speakers and webcam
  • Premium metal construction
  • Practical port selection
  • Half a pound overweight
  • Screen could be brighter

With the venerable Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) discontinued, we turn to the Dell 14 Plus for a similarly high-end experience at an approachable price. While just above $1,000 at its starting list price, you'll more often than not find it for less—sometimes hundreds off. At that point, this portable laptop becomes a sharp-screened steal made sweeter by the latest connectivity and lengthy battery life.

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Dell Precision 5690 angle 1

Best Workstation Laptop

Dell Precision 5690

4.0 Excellent
  • Stunning 4K OLED touch screen
  • Blazing performance for its size
  • Elegant build with snappy keyboard
  • Not quite as fast or expandable as heavier rivals
  • No USB-A ports or webcam shutter
  • Mega expensive, as most mobile workstations are

Dell has grabbed back the mobile workstation crown with its Precision 5690 model, a 16-inch beast with Nvidia RTX Ada graphics and one of the most powerful Intel Core Ultra processors currently available. With that combo, the Precision achieves chart-topping performance despite being just 0.87 inch thin. Speed aside, this workstation has a poppy 4K OLED touch screen housed in a high-end build with a punchy set of keys for fast typists.

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Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4)

Best MacBook for Most People

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4)

4.0 Excellent
  • Lower starting price than the previous-generation 13-inch Air
  • Faster M4 processing
  • RAM gets a boost, even in the base model
  • Improved Center Stage camera
  • Quiet, fanless design
  • Some ultraportable Windows laptops outpace it
  • Battery life falls off a little versus 2024 model
  • Display tech remains solid, but is starting to appear dated alongside OLED

The best MacBook for most people continues to be the easiest call to make in this buying guide. Apple's 2025 MacBook Air is budget-friendlier than before, returning to a three-digit starting price. Meanwhile, its M4 processor update preserves the core Mac experience and introduces advanced AI capabilities. Aside from gaining the MacBook Pro's improved 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, nothing else has changed about the Air this year. You get the same sharp LCD screen, sublime keyboard, and large trackpad as before. The 13-inch MacBook Air remains a benchmark to which other ultraportable laptops aspire.

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

Best Budget Laptop

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

3.5 Good
  • Smooth everyday operation
  • Extensive battery life
  • Current Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Competitive starting price
  • Limited performance headroom
  • Dated, somewhat flimsy design
  • Lackluster display
  • Top configuration is outclassed

It's well known that bargain-priced laptops are often riddled with compromises, and while this Acer Aspire 3 isn't exempt from those, we've ranked it as the best budget laptop for how it presents relatively few. We especially appreciate this notebook's lengthy battery life, decent keyboard, and reliable performance for basic tasks. You won't get a dazzling display or flashy design, but budget-strapped buyers or parents shopping for their young kids will be well served by this Aspire model.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition angle view

Best Ultraportable Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition

4.0 Excellent
  • Sleek, slim, and light
  • Sensibly priced
  • Gorgeous 2.8K OLED touch screen
  • Above-average audio
  • Not Lenovo's best keyboard
  • No USB-A port or SD/microSD card slot
  • No mobile broadband option

Lenovo's latest crack at making the best ultraportable laptop possible led it to its ThinkPad brand. From there, the company crafted a thin-and-light machine that exudes premium style and named it the X9. While it doesn't quite compete on value or performance, the ThinkPad X9 14 certainly rivals the MacBook Air in design. Bridging consumer and small-business needs, it's a sturdy and reliable high-end alternative to the Air.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 right angle

Best Business Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition

5.0 Exemplary
  • A nearly perfect portable PC
  • Remarkably light
  • Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display
  • Fine keyboard
  • Generous array of ports for its size and profile
  • No SD or microSD card slot
  • WWAN option not available yet

Once again, Lenovo takes home the honor of the best business laptop ever made with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition. This model takes the same crisp OLED display, light weight, class-leading keyboard, and ample port selection to the next level with a CoPilot+ PC-ready Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor. (The outgoing Gen 12 model was not CoPilot+ PC-compliant.) Lenovo is polishing its top-tier laptop at this point, adding shiny new features on top of a dominant mobile computing platform.

Asus ProArt PX13 left angle

Best Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop

Asus ProArt PX13

4.5 Outstanding
  • Blazing performance with generous memory
  • Handsome OLED touch screen
  • DialPad touchpad for creator apps
  • Sleek, sturdy construction
  • Irksome AI robo-mouse assistant
  • No mobile broadband option

Our current best 2-in-1 convertible laptop is the Asus ProArt PX13, a rotating-screen model intended for digital drafters and other creators. Our test model came equipped with a high-end AMD Ryzen processor and dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics. As a high-end product, the PX13 comes wrapped in a slick, strong aluminum chassis with a gorgeous OLED touch screen and Asus' DialPad touchpad, the latter a specialized control that delivers extra functions useful to content creators. It all amounts to a well-earned Editors' Choice award in the category.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

Best Chromebook

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

5.0 Exemplary
  • New AI features supercharge ChromeOS
  • 12 months free Google One with Gemini Advanced
  • Versatile, durable 2-in-1 design
  • Intel Core Ultra processing and on-device AI
  • Excellent battery life
  • Clear, colorful touch screen
  • Pen not included
  • ChromeOS still has quirks

Acer's Chromebook Plus Spin 714 represents the upper echelons of what Chromebooks can aspire to through Google's Chromebook Plus program. In this refreshed version of its leading 2-in-1 Chromebook, Acer equipped the Spin 714 with an AI-ready Intel Core Ultra processor that's also competitive in raw performance. Winning our Editors' Choice award for high-end Chromebooks, the Spin 714 is your first-stop premium ChromeOS laptop.

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The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16

Best Gaming Laptop

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16

4.5 Outstanding
  • Exceptional performance
  • Gorgeous gaming display
  • Sturdy build and quality design
  • Respectable battery life
  • Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 are MIA
  • No biometric login options
  • Heavy and bulky

Lenovo's Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 is far from an inexpensive gaming laptop, but it's still one of the best values around. On power and feature set, it competes with even more expensive systems, delivering top-end performance in our testing for less cash than its competition. A well-built body, an advanced screen, and decent battery life underpin this bargain for hardcore gamers.

Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)

Best Budget Gaming Laptop

Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)

4.0 Excellent
  • Attractive price
  • Suffices for 1080p gaming
  • Wide selection of ports
  • Lengthy battery life
  • Lagging processor performance
  • Limited 512GB SSD

Purchasing a budget gaming laptop is about reducing compromises in crucial areas, and at well under a grand, the Acer Nitro V 15 delivers the goods. Its Intel Core i5 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU produce reliable 1080p gaming, ideal for first-time PC gamers and casual players alike. You will undoubtedly see 60 frames per second gaming on this laptop, but not at the maximum settings in most games. The processor could be punchier in core computing tasks, and more storage would be welcome, but those are this laptop's only downsides. The Nitro V 15 brings plenty of ports and lots of battery life for an excellent price, making it the budget gaming laptop to beat right now.

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The Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)

Best Content Creation Laptop

Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)

4.5 Outstanding
  • Lightweight, durable chassis
  • Speedy CPU and GPU
  • Beautiful OLED display
  • Useful AI-assisted features
  • High-end audio quality
  • Runs hot with big workloads
  • Fans get loud under load
  • Basic refresh rate

For the content creation laptop category, we always look for a combination of factors, including raw performance, display features, and portability, to name a few. The Asus ProArt P16 not only hits but smashes almost all of our criteria for an award-winning content creator laptop, earning our Editors' Choice award as a leader in the category.

Asus ProArt PZ13 with keyboard

Best 2-in-1 Detachable Laptop

Asus ProArt PZ13

4.0 Excellent
  • Gorgeous OLED touch screen
  • Kickstand cover and above-average keyboard included
  • Dual high-quality cameras
  • SD card slot
  • Affordable price
  • Pen not included
  • Scanty port selection and no headphone jack
  • Arm software compatibility concerns
  • No WWAN option

The Asus ProArt PZ13 is our pick for the best Windows tablet due to its exceptional value, high-quality OLED display, and solid performance tailored for creative professionals. It's a great, competitive alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, especially with its included keyboard cover and kickstand. This versatile tablet wowed us with sturdy design, a premium display, and great Snapdragon-powered performance while remaining budget-friendly. And with nearly 18 hours of battery life and a combination of accessories and features that will appeal to the most demanding creative pros, the ProArt PZ13 earns its spot as the best Windows detachable tablet available today.

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The Best Laptops for 2025 Compare Specs

Select Up To 3
Your Selections
Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

$749.99 at Dell
$1,099.99 Save $350.00
See It
Rating
4.0
4.0
Best For
Best Laptop for Most People
Best Workstation Laptop
Class
Ultraportable
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Optical Drive
Screen Size
14 inches
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
3840 by 2400
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
None
Screen Refresh Rate
90 Hz
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.4 by 8.9 inches
0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches
Weight
3.42 lbs
4.46 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
20:06
17:11
Buying Guide: The Best Laptops for 2025

Details, details, and more details! Buying the best laptop for you can be maddening, given all the specifications and features you'll encounter in your search. Which class of laptops is best for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. Take a systematic approach when shopping—here's how to make a smart pick.


What Are the Types of Laptops You Can Buy?

Let's start with a rundown of the main types of laptops on today's market.

  • General-use laptops: Most laptops out there fall into this class. They are capable of everyday computing tasks like web browsing, document editing, light content creation, and casual gaming. Expect baseline specs, passable features, and graphics acceleration that relies on the CPU. (More on that later.) They start as low as $300 and top out around $1,000.

  • Ultraportables: These laptops, generally under 3 pounds, have thin and light designs, making them easy to carry while commuting or traveling. Like general-use laptops, most lean on CPU-integrated graphics, but you might get some better features, like extra-sharp screens, touch-input support, and premium build materials. The prototype ultraportable is Apple's iconic MacBook Air, which starts near $1,000. Most Windows ultraportables cost $700 or more.

  • 2-in-1 laptops: Tablets and laptops in one, the 2-in-1 category is split into two subcategories: convertibles and detachables. Most convertibles are clamshell-style laptops with a 360-degree rotating hinge. You can use the laptop in "tablet mode," with the keys behind the screen, or propped up in an inverted V. Detachables are souped-up tablets with keyboard covers that snap off, and kickstands that prop them up. As a rule, all 2-in-1 laptops, whether budget or high-end models, have touch screens.

  • Gaming laptops: Discrete graphics processors from AMD, Intel, or Nvidia enable gaming laptops to play PC games at varying levels of fidelity and frame rate. You can spend anywhere from $800 to more than $5,000 on a gaming laptop. (Generally speaking, the quality of gameplay and the visual sharpness rise with the price.) Some approach ultraportable status (the smallest have 14-inch screens), while the beefiest feature gigantic 18-inch displays.

  • Business laptops: These range from general-use models to high-style, premium ultraportables. (Some are 2-in-1s, too.) Because of this, we look at business laptops through the lens of several subcategories, like budget, ultraportable, detachable, and convertible. Most distinguish themselves with special security software, hardware, or firmware features that protect sensitive company information or resources.

  • Mobile workstations: These are business laptops, but with dedicated work-grade GPUs with special drivers for rendering professional 3D or special-effects projects, working with machine-learning models, and performing other forms of GPU compute. Few cost less than $1,500, and they can exceed even the most powerful gaming laptops in price.

  • Chromebooks: Chromebooks run exclusively on Google's ChromeOS, based on its Chrome web browser and a suite of browser-based web apps. They rely on cloud storage for storing most files and feature only minimal local storage. Few cost more than $700, making them ideal budget alternatives.

  • MacBooks: Apple's two laptop lineups serve different audiences. MacBook Air is for everyday, mainstream users; Air models are punchy and reliable enough to serve well in the classroom and the office. Some consumers might want a MacBook Pro for amateur content creation, but these higher-power MacBooks are for students and professionals in advanced computing fields, with upper Pro models competing with the workstation crowd. Expect prices from $700 for the earlier-generation MacBook Air to more than $3,000 for the most decked-out Pro.


How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025: Every Factor to Consider

Now that we've covered the major types of laptops available, let's explore the specifics you'll need to decide on before pressing the Buy button. In the main part of the guide, we'll get into each consideration in detail, but here’s a TL;DR summary of what we’ll cover:

  • Brands. Acer, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI are all worthy leading laptop brands, with strengths in their own areas, but buying on brand alone can mean you miss some great alternatives and values. We break that down in more detail shortly. 

  • Battery life. In general, mainstream and thin-and-light machines will last the longest off the plug, and gaming laptops and workstation models will be shorter-lived on a charge. But battery life depends heavily on how you use your machine and its particular component makeup. Consulting our reviews and their benchmark tests is essential as a yardstick for relative longevity. 

  • Price. This is the squishiest factor of all. We define budget Windows laptops as models at $500 or less, but premium Chromebooks are available in the $400 to $600 range. A decent mainstream ultraportable should set you back between $700 and $1,100. Gaming laptops range from $700 (basic) to $4,000 or $5,000 (very much kitted-out). Mobile workstations can be similarly sky’s-the-limit. Apple's MacBooks start at $999 new.

  • Size and weight. Assess these based on how often you’ll carry your machine. Most gaming machines weigh between 4 and 6 pounds, mainstream machines from 3 to 5 pounds, and the better class of ultraportables between 2 and 3 pounds. Overall size is proportional to the screen size, and bigger-screen models tend to weigh more. Also, factor in the weight and bulk of the AC adapter. (Some gaming laptops have real whoppers.)

  • Displays. IPS panels are the middle-ground standard to look for these days, with brilliant OLEDs or mini LED panels being the premium choices. Seek out a minimum screen resolution of 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels). A 60Hz refresh rate is acceptable for an everyday laptop; look for at least a 120Hz or 144Hz rate in a gaming model. Avoid TFT screens except in the very cheapest laptops. Most mainstream ultraportables have 13- or 14-inch screens; desktop replacements are in the 15-to-17-inch range; and most gaming models and workstations have panels from 15 to 18 inches, with a handful smaller. 

  • Processing power. This is a complex area. Short version: With Intel and AMD chips, generally look for “3”-class processors (Core i3, Core 3, Ryzen 3) in budget machines, “5”-class ones in mainstream laptops, and “7” or “9” in high-end power models. But this is not comprehensive or absolute. Chips with numbers ending with “H” (or “HS” or “HX”) are a higher power class than ones ending in “U” or “P.” Snapdragon X chips are a class of their own related to Windows on Arm PCs, and Apple’s MacBook chips rise from M1 to M4 (the generation number) and offer upper-tier Pro and Max variants in each. Benchmark tests in our reviews will tell you much more in a relative sense.

  • Graphics power. The big differentiator here is getting “integrated graphics” from AMD or Intel, which feature in most mainstream laptops, versus a discrete graphics chip or GPU (Nvidia's RTX or GeForce RTX, or less commonly, AMD's Radeon RX) in a gaming laptop or workstation. In the simplest terms, higher GPU series numbers (GeForce RTX 4060 versus RTX 4080, say) should be faster in a given graphics family and generation, but it’s nuanced; reviews matter here, too.

  • Memory and storage capacities. Look for at least 8GB of main system memory in any Windows or Mac laptop, with 16GB preferred. More than 16GB is relevant primarily for content creation pros, workstation users, and heavy multitaskers; 4GB might suffice in a budget Chromebook, but nothing else. As for storage, a 512GB SSD is a decent balance in a mainstream laptop; don’t opt for less than 256GB except in a Chromebook, and look for at least 1TB in a gaming machine. (Games eat a lot of space.) 

  • Ports. Look for a mix that matches the peripherals or displays you might attach. Having both USB Type-A and Type-C is ideal, plus a full-size HDMI output for a second monitor. (Note: Many machines piggyback display output on USB-C ports these days.) Headphone/mic jacks are common; Ethernet ones, less so. 

  • Wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 support should suffice for most users, with Wi-Fi 6E a premium feature and Wi-Fi 7 the cutting edge. All laptops released today will also support Bluetooth.

  • Operating systems. This is very much a personal preference. Windows 11 is today’s default for most buyers, but Apple users may prefer macOS for its familiarity and deep bench of handy built-in applications. ChromeOS features in low-cost Chromebooks that emphasize in-browser web work and cloud storage. A last option, Windows on Arm, is emerging in the latest Copilot+ laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors; it’s mostly indistinguishable from Windows 11, apart from some limitations around program compatibility. 

  • Refurbished models. A refurbished laptop can net you a great deal, but refurbishers’ standards and condition-grading scales aren’t consistent. Insist on a good return policy if you roll the dice on one; getting a refurb from a laptop manufacturer is often safer than a third party.


Which Brand of Laptop Is the Best?

Choosing a laptop based on what might be the "best" laptop brand isn't the best initial approach—assess laptops model by model instead. Some brands have reputations for what they're best suited for. But going by those alone can mean you miss a winner from a different brand.

For instance, Apple has long been known for its MacBooks' particular aptitude for creative professionals, from writers to photo/video editors and even digital designers. Meanwhile, Lenovo is best known for its class-leading keyboards and its ThinkPad business machines. As a last example, brands like Acer and Asus, while they have high-end models, tend to dominate the midrange and budget sectors with value-minded systems. Other major makers of first-rate laptops include HP and MSI. But you'll find tons of crossovers in all of these assessments that make relying solely on brand almost meaningless.

If knowing the top laptop brands still drives you, go with the wisdom of the crowd: See what you can find within our running Readers' Choice: Best Laptop Brands series, which polls readers like you to name their favorite laptop brands for specific use cases and scenarios.


What Is the Longest-Lasting Laptop?

Many of the best laptops can last the better part of a workday away from an outlet. You'll find exceptions. A leading laptop with a 4K display and a powerful CPU may last less time, and gaming laptops deplete far sooner than most other machines. And when playing demanding GPU-taxing games? Gaming laptops run out of juice faster than most. Much depends on how you compute; even powerful laptops have become adept at sensing when maximum power isn’t required, reducing various components’ consumption.

This is where PC Labs’ battery testing comes in. We evaluate battery life by playing a locally stored video file nonstop at middle brightness. An excellent result suggests that the laptop can adapt its power use to the task at hand; our testing lets you compare the potential of the machines you are considering. We evaluate all laptops using this test.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Measuring battery life is never an absolute, though, since it depends on how you use your laptop. Your usage profile probably doesn’t match our test—or anyone else’s—to a T. So you’ll want to look at tested battery life in a relative, not absolute, sense.

If you're keeping score, HP's OmniBook X AI (based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (the M3 model) are today's longest-lasting laptops we've reviewed, enduring 30 hours on our battery rundown test.


How Much Will the Right Laptop Cost?

Don’t care about cutting-edge design and robust components? A cheap laptop could suffice. Today’s market is flooded with basic but full-featured models under $500. "Shopping holidays" like Prime Day and Black Friday, and actual holidays like Presidents’ Day, bring frequent sales, discounting some of these models even further.

Most handle word processing and email checking just fine, but they’ll struggle with heavier tasks, such as keeping many web browser tabs or memory- and CPU-demanding programs open simultaneously. Look at our reviews to compare performance. PC Labs has tested many late-model budget laptops; some are classic clamshells, and others are convertible or detachable 2-in-1s. (See a few of our top cheap laptops in our lineup of favorites.)

Spending closer to $1,000 unlocks many of the cutting-edge features modern laptops offer: slim, sturdy aluminum chassis, brilliant touch-enabled 4K displays, powerful processors and graphics chips, and all-day batteries. Some leading laptops bring these features closer to $800; check brands like Acer, Asus, and HP.

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

A major caveat: In this price range, you’ll have to settle on what the most essential features are for you. You might land a beautiful 4K display or a cavernous terabyte of solid-state storage, but probably not both.

You can choose almost any combination if your budget is $2,000 or more. That said, even the most powerful laptop that money can buy must still obey the laws of physics. Powerful hardware generates heat, and the cooling mechanisms required to address that heat take up space. Hard-core gamers who want a large display and a screaming-fast graphics processor that requires bulky cooling pipes and fans won’t find it in a thin, light laptop.

IT-manageable, security-conscious business laptops—models made primarily by Dell, HP, and Lenovo—have their own pricing dynamic and tend to cost a bit more, all else being equal. That’s because of their premium warranty or support plans, enterprise-specific silicon focused on manageability or security, fingerprint or face-recognition login features, and more rugged build quality.


What Is an Ideal Weight and Size for a Laptop?

Most people searching for the best laptop should choose one that measures about half an inch thick and weighs 3 pounds or less. These are the maximum dimensions and heft a laptop can have to be considered ultraportable, and for most users, portability is the key to maximizing use and enjoyment.

Aiming for that weight and thickness usually means a laptop with a 13- or 14-inch screen, although a few models with 15-inch or larger screens qualify. You can find models in conventional “clamshell” laptops or 2-in-1 designs at most screen sizes. 

Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Some Windows laptops and ChromeOS laptops do have smaller 11-inch or 12-inch displays, often not technically laptops in the classic sense but rather tablets with detachable keyboards. Avoid these designs unless you’re looking for a part-time tablet or the lightest possible laptop. They’re lighter than most 13-inch ultraportables, often less than 2 pounds, but they’re not as effective at being tablets as the Apple iPad is, and their detachable keyboards mean typing on most of them tends to be subpar.

At the other end of the size spectrum are 17-inch and 18-inch laptops. They mostly appeal to hard-core gamers, but you can find the occasional 17-inch productivity machine or workstation if you like a larger screen for other reasons. A 17-inch or 18-inch laptop can closely mimic a desktop experience at the expense of size and weight. Most 18-inchers are meant for gaming; the larger panels complement the latest GeForce and Radeon GPUs, which use the extra chassis space for cooling. These monsters from Alienware, Asus, and Razer tackle the hardest graphics tasks to date to varying effects.

Some of these designs can exceed 6 pounds and measure more than an inch thick. If you plan to park your gaming rig on your desk and seldom move it, a 17-incher or 18-incher is a possibility. Otherwise, most gamers should stick with 15- or 16-inch designs.


What Kind of Laptop Screen Should You Get?

The best laptop screens have grown more pixel-dense over the past decade, making for crisper text and sharper images, often with better-looking colors. Displays are sometimes measured in pixels per inch (ppi), but native resolution, expressed in horizontal by vertical pixels, is the most popular method.

Most laptops have screens with at least “full HD” resolutions. Also known as “1080p” displays, they comprise 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (or sometimes 1,920 by 1,200) and most commonly employ LCD panels built on in-plane switching (IPS) technology. IPS screen quality varies, but these screens maintain image color when viewed off-center. Thin-film transistor, or TFT, technology predates IPS and has faded out due to its inferior viewing angles.

Asus ProArt PX13
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Only the very cheapest laptops still use TFT (resolutions of 1,280 by 720 and 1,366 by 768 pixels are common here), which cannot touch the crisp text and vivid colors found on smartphones or TVs. If you’re not picky about image quality, though, a lower-resolution display might be an acceptable sacrifice.

For the crispest text and details, common resolutions beyond 1080p include 1440p (2,560 by 1,440), 1600p (2,560 by 1,600), and 4K or 2160p (3,840 by 2,160). Some high-end screens still use IPS panels, while others use OLED technology. OLED screens command a premium for their inky blacks and luxurious colors. A few premium laptops have moved to mini LED backlighting technology for finer control over color depth and image brightness, especially boosting HDR content.

Regardless of the specific screen tech, people who plan to use their laptops in brightly lit rooms or outdoors will want to make sure that the panel has a maximum brightness level of at least 500 nits.

Finally, gamers and video content creators must pay attention to the refresh rate, or how often per second the screen redraws content, measured in hertz. A 60Hz rate is standard, with 120Hz and 144Hz common in gaming laptops and reaching as high as 360Hz. Unless you're an esports gamer seeking extreme frame rates, don't worry about going past 144Hz. And before you pay a significant premium for a high-refresh screen, be sure the graphics chip, or GPU, is muscular enough to push your games at a high enough frame rate to make a difference. A high-refresh screen won't confer many benefits if you play games at 60 frames per second or lower.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

If you want to take advantage of the touch-screen support present throughout Windows and ChromeOS, seek out a touch-enabled laptop and perhaps even a digital stylus to write or draw on it. Some Windows laptops come in touch- and non-touch versions, so check specs carefully. Touch panels tend to be glossy screens; most matte screens designed to filter out glare from ambient lighting aren't. Most gaming laptops lack touch panels, and Apple MacBooks don't do touch screens at all.


What Is the Best Processor for Your Laptop?

Most $1,000 ultraportables use Intel Core processors or, less commonly, AMD Ryzen CPUs. All of these offer plenty of power for everyday computing tasks, but remember that higher CPU model numbers in a given family of chips typically indicate more processor cores, higher maximum clock speeds, and sometimes even multithreading. With multithreading, each CPU core can run two sets of software instructions simultaneously instead of just one. Modern software is designed to take advantage of as many CPU cores as possible so it can run faster on multithreaded chips.

Meanwhile, budget laptops typically use AMD Ryzen 3 processors, or Core i3 or newer Core 3 chips in Intel's case. These typically have just a few individual cores. At the other end of the spectrum, high-end powerhouse laptops have workstation-class Intel or AMD CPUs with double-digit core counts. However, expect to see many new Intel-based machines employing Core Ultra processors; these are the firm's successors to the Core i series, with an increased focus on AI processing.

Regardless of which CPU a laptop has, it’s typically designed to use less power and generate less heat than its desktop counterpart. In the latest mainstream, lightweight laptops, Intel laptop CPUs typically consume 15 watts (W) of power (or less) up to as much as 45W for the highest-end mobile tasks.

Dell Precision 5690
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Gaming laptops and mobile workstations typically feature higher-powered CPUs, usually denoted by an "H," "HS," or "HX" in the CPU's model name. These require more cooling hardware and consume more energy, but they drive performance closer to that of a desktop PC. You’ll find H-series CPUs from both AMD and Intel.

Apple is in its fourth generation of M-series silicon for MacBooks. Apple's MacBook Pro laptop models contain some variation of its M4 processors. Meanwhile, you can get the basic M4 chip in the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops.

Getting into laptop-processor specifics can get you pretty deep in the weeds, but for a decent overview that doesn't overwhelm you, check out our guide to choosing a laptop CPU that fits what you do. As a rule of thumb, though, Core Ultra-family chips are Intel's latest, while the Ryzen AI 300 and Ryzen 8000 series are AMD's newest offerings. Chips with a "U" in the model number are typically lower-powered CPUs for thin machines, and the "H" chips indicate power-user machines. A newer CPU variant is the Snapdragon X Elite and Plus family from Qualcomm, powering some recent AI-equipped models that run a special Arm-based version of Windows. (See more about these in What Is an AI PC?)


Which Graphics Chip Should You Get in Your Laptop?

A graphics processor built into the CPU (also known as an “integrated graphics processor,” or IGP) is perfectly adequate for most everyday laptop use. You’ll know you’re looking at an IGP if you see a reference to Intel’s Arc Graphics, HD Graphics, UHD Graphics, or Iris as the graphics solution on an Intel-CPU laptop (or Radeon Graphics on an AMD-based laptop). An IGP shares the CPU’s processor cores, memory, or both. The amount of memory available to the integrated graphics chip is usually fixed, so increasing the system memory won’t result in better graphics performance.

Most gamers will want to consider a discrete GPU with dedicated graphics resources. Even a budget gaming GPU will offer an immense advantage over an integrated graphics processor when playing 3D games. Hard-core gamers should look for Nvidia’s latest GeForce RTX GPUs at the high end. The very latest chips in the GeForce line are the RTX 50 series, with names like GeForce RTX 5080 and 5090.

With gaming laptops, the level of GPU you need is deeply tied to the frame rate you want to run at the laptop’s native screen resolution and the kind of games you play. That’s where our reviews come in handy. We test with demanding gaming and industry-standard benchmarks to give you a relative sense of a laptop’s graphics performance. Check out our roundups of the best gaming laptops and budget gaming laptops for much more beyond our picks here. PC Labs has tested all of the latest gaming laptops across the market, from budget models to cost-no-object deluxe ones.


How Much Storage and Memory Does Your Laptop Need?

All modern laptops above entry-level now use solid-state drives (SSDs), which store data using memory cells instead of spinning platters (the classic hard drive). SSDs' much faster access times make them a vast improvement. They’re also immune to jolts and bumps that might crash a spinning platter’s heads.

Note that not all laptop SSDs are created equal. SSDs that use the more modern, generally faster PCI Express NVMe standard, as opposed to the older, slightly slower SATA interface, are preferable. (PCI Express SSDs are rapidly taking over the field.) Either is far better than a third type, a not-quite-SSD: the much slower eMMC, a kind of flash storage drive found in budget machines. (If your budget laptop has 32GB or 64GB of storage, it's probably eMMC. Check the specs.) Traditional spinning hard drives are now rare in new laptops, and eMMC is the slowest and least desirable flash tech. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The minimum amount of storage space to consider is 256GB. This will accommodate operating system updates and large apps with room left over. Look for at least 512GB for multimedia storage and some PC games. You’ll find 1TB or even roomier SSDs at the high end, which are increasingly required for PC gaming, but going beyond 1TB can add a lot to the overall cost. It’s more cost-effective to get a 512GB or 1TB SSD and add an external drive if you need additional space.

While a laptop’s SSD stores your data, its system memory (or RAM) works with the CPU to run apps and helps define its multitasking capacity. While you might squeak by with 8GB of RAM, 16GB is essentially the floor now for RAM capacity, especially for heavy multitaskers and PC gamers. A minimum of 16GB of RAM reduces the chance of slowdown while browsing resource-hungry websites and allows you to run multiple apps at once. It's also necessary to run the various AI tasks that modern laptops can do.

Beyond 16GB is mostly needed by content creators or high-end PC gamers; meanwhile, steer clear of anything with less than 8GB of RAM. Even Chromebooks, which are designed to demand fewer computing resources than Windows laptops, suffer with less than 8GB of RAM at a minimum.


What Kind of Connectivity Does Your Laptop Need?

Starting with wireless connectivity, the latest mainstream Wi-Fi standard is 802.11ax (or Wi-Fi 6), an important feature to look for. Steer clear of the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5). Today's high-end is Wi-Fi 6E, with the cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 showing up in mostly premium devices. The latter reduces latency and provides access to additional bandwidth with a compliant Wi-Fi 7 router.

Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Serious gamers should consider a laptop with a Killer Networks setup, which more granularly prioritizes wired or wireless gaming traffic. Business users and gamers may also want a dedicated Ethernet jack. Most gaming machines will have one, and some gamers insist on wired Ethernet rules for competitive online gaming. Some leading laptops implement Ethernet as a full-size or fold-out jack; others may come with an adapter that routes Ethernet through a USB port. Others leave wired Ethernet up to you to add via an accessory.

As for other physical connections, pay attention to a laptop's USB port type and quantity. Look for laptops with both USB Type-A and Type-C ports. USB-A is the familiar rectangular connector that has been around for decades, while USB-C is smaller, pill-shaped, and sometimes accepts the laptop’s charger.

Some budget laptops may only have USB-A ports. On the other hand, some ultra-thin designs only have USB-C ports, so you’ll need dongles to connect USB-A peripherals you own. A mix is what you want.

Dell Precision 5690
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Check for an HDMI or DisplayPort connector for video output, especially if you plan to connect your laptop to your TV, desktop monitor, or lecture hall A/V system. DisplayPort video outputs are sometimes implemented on laptops via USB-C ports to save space.

Photographers may benefit from a built-in SD or microSD card reader for image uploading. Finally, if you plan to use your laptop in an unsecured location, a Kensington-cable style or a Noble-lock style security notch for fastening a physical locking cable is helpful. Make sure the notch type matches the kind of tethering cable you intend to use.


Are Refurbished Laptops Worth Buying?

Every manufacturer and reseller has different standards for refurbishing used laptops. It is best to buy any refurbished machine directly from the manufacturer’s online store rather than a reseller.

Some resellers or third parties will rate their refurbished stock with a grade. (It pays to ask who has done the refurbishing—the manufacturer or the reseller.) Refurbished laptops are sold and rated with grades of A, B+, B, C, and so on to reflect their wear and tear. However, it’s generally up to the reseller what the grade means. We strongly recommend insisting on an ironclad return policy in the case of purchases like these if you decide to roll the dice. You could end up pleasantly surprised, but usually, a refurbished laptop deal that looks too good to be true...is.


Should You Get a Longer Laptop Warranty?

Most laptop makers offer one-year warranties on parts and labor. These standard plans are limited, so they won't cover accidents like spilling a drink on the keyboard or dropping the system on the sidewalk. Fortunately, your credit card issuer likely covers such mishaps for a short period after you buy a new product, and it also may extend the manufacturer's warranty. (For example, many Mastercard accounts include a doubling of the standard warranty period up to one year.) Check your account benefits guide for details.

If your credit card issuer doesn’t cover you, some top laptop makers will happily sell you extended warranties. Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo all offer wide ranges of extended warranties and coverage for accidental damage. Expect to spend $100 to $300 for these options. Our rule of thumb is that if a warranty costs more than 15% of the laptop's purchase price, you're better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime.

Of course, you can't put a price tag on peace of mind. You'll encounter instances when the logic board or the display—the most expensive parts of a laptop—fail, and while rare, such a catastrophe can cost you half of what the laptop is worth in repair costs.


Ready to Buy the Right Laptop for You?

Shopping for a leading laptop is an exercise in patience. An ultra-competitive market means that even if you’ve got specific requirements, you can almost certainly find a handful of excellent models that will meet them and another handful of perfectly serviceable but ho-hum models that will, too. Now that you know which specifications to look for, parsing the good from the bad will be much easier.

About Brian Westover

Principal Writer, Hardware

From the laptops on your desk to satellites in space and AI that seems to be everywhere, I cover many topics at PCMag. I've covered PCs and technology products for over 15 years at PCMag and other publications, like Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, TWICE, and several other tech outlets. As a hardware reviewer, I've handled dozens of MacBooks, 2-in-1 laptops, Chromebooks, and the latest AI PCs. As the resident Starlink expert, I've done years of hands-on testing. I also explore the most valuable ways to use the latest AI tools and features in our Try AI column.

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About Joe Osborne

Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware

After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on managing laptops, desktops, and components coverage. With 15 years of experience, I have been on staff and published in technology review publications, including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Mag, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. Along the way, I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I have expertise in testing all forms of laptops and desktops using the latest tools. I’m also well-versed in video game hardware and software coverage.

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